Written by Gill Graham, BSc (Hons), BA (Hons) RS Hom, DHMHS

Whatever race, religion or spiritual leanings we have, we are all faced with January, and the start of a new year. Many of you may identify with me in that the end of the year included massive amounts of preparation for Christmas or other festive celebrations. Cooking, shopping, and entertaining endlessly, with an open heart; joyfully taking on these extra challenges in addition to our normal busy lives, grateful for the energy we are able to invest whilst our effervescence is as tangible as the finest ‘Cristal.’

However, come the beginning of January, many of us feel a tinge of burn out, disorientation and exhaustion often coupled with the usual sluggishness associated with over consumption of foods we are not used to eating and  the after effects of hyperactivity. Even by addressing our diets, we are still left emotionally bewildered at a time when the world is telling us to ‘Strive for a new you!! ‘Make this year count!!’ ‘Be the best you can be and achieve your potential!!’ A tall order when you are feeling like a large snail, who just wants to crawl back under her stone and sleep and recharge.

It is comforting at least to see there is security in numbers.  There is much we can do for ourselves however, to rebalance our bodies and minds which doesn’t involve beating ourselves up for eating our weight in mince pies and glugging prosecco like there is no tomorrow whilst ignoring our own emotional needs. Thankfully, we can slowly observe our own transformation as one emerges slowly from our shell or maybe another fitting analogy lies in the word ‘chrysalis.’

Specifically here, I am looking at homeopathic remedies to help with renewing our energy and sense of worth and purpose after a potentially exhausting time, therefore the focus here is on the pathological mind symptoms. A few indicated remedies are listed, to show the scope of homeopathic treatment, when we are left feeling tired and disorientated; however, as ever, I strongly suggest you contact a homeopath to address the symptoms in their totality.

Burnout/Exhaustion

Phosphoric Acid - To be considered if feeling:

• A very still depressiveness, the cause of which can lie in too much excitement, humiliation, fright, grief or shock


• Listlessness


• Indifferent to what is happening in life


• Exhaustion, becoming withdrawn


• Wants to go home and be alone

Sepia -To be considered if feeling:

• Shut down


• Indifferent, particularly to one’s family and those she loves the best


• Indolent, doesn’t want to do anything, work or play. Even thinking is hard


• Wants to be alone


• Confused


• Dislikes company and consolation


• Irritable


• Sensitive to noise, music, pain


• Sluggish


• Tearful and weepy

Staphysagria -To be considered if feeling:

• Violated, leading to indignation and resentment


• If feelings of resentment and injustice build up, this can often result in violent outburst of rage. Great indignation about things done by others or by himself. Dwells on the consequences


• Extremely sensitive to the slightest mental impressions. Often the least harmful word offends


• Has been insulted, but is too dignified to fight, resulting in exhaustion and sickness accompanied by trembling.


• Apathetic, indifferent and low spirited.

Cocculus -To be considered if feeling:

• Loss of sleep, from a multitude of causes, whether caring for others or self-deprivation due to lifestyle.


• Stress resulting in exhaustion leading to confusion and forgetfulness. Often those requiring cocculus will appear dazed to others.


• Grief or anger with associated trembling.

Ignatia -To be considered if feeling:

• Sensitive, broody, aliments from disappointed love


• Grief: for those that are alone and who have sad memories at this time, with a tendency to sigh


• Emotional state can swing rapidly from joy to sorrow and laughing to weeping


• Desire to be alone


• People affected by long term deep grief


• Often fine, delicate, sensitive people, who take offence to contradiction, leading to anger.

Phosphorous – To be considered if feeling:

• Anxious


• Weak


• Fearful, often of being alone


• Sensitive, particularly to pain and light


• Jumpy and irritable


• Weary of life and full of gloomy forebodings


• Love and need reassurance, touch and affection

There are many more remedy’s that could be considered, these are just a few that cover some of the emotional states that can potentially follow a full on, sometimes immensely complex time. A psychological overload, often caused by
too much interaction or possibly not enough, evoking strong feelings for which suppression is not the answer.

I hope this will be a remarkable year for you and yes, you can fly and evolve like the most glorious butterfly or carry any baggage you have freely and effortlessly, with the correct mind set.

As ever, professional homeopathic advice should be sought:http://www.findahomeopath.org/Search/Postcode

So how DO you look as classy as Katie at 45? Alison Boshoff examines how radio presenter manages to hold back the years with her endless legs and lithe physique.



Homeopathy features in Katie's holistic living and healthcare plan too - read more here:


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3280179/So-look-classy-Katie-45-ALISON-BOSHOFF-examines-radio-presenter-manages-hold-years-endless-legs-lithe-physique

 

Differing approaches to regulation worldwide has resulted in great difficulty in determining the specific number of Traditional & Complementary Medicine (T&CM) practitioners. Within developing countries T&CM practitioners are the sole providers of healthcare, however in other countries they can be divided into a number of categories based on training, education and registration status. Within Europe there are 160,000 non-medical practitioners while India has over 785,000. India has a successful institutionalised education systems with more than 500 colleges with annual admission of 25,000 undergraduate students and out of these colleges 117 are also admitting 2,493 postgraduate students.  In India students learn about general medicine, healthcare and disease and then either specialise in homeopathy or pharmacology.

In Europe T&CM regulation and registration is not well established, with insurance being partially covered by public and private insurance companies. However there are an increasing number of medical professionals who are interested in T&CM. In France many doctors are specialist in Homeopathy and Acupuncture. Belgium’s Socialist Mutual Insurance of Tournai-Ath, will partially reimburses complementary and alternative treatments such as homeopathic remedies.  In Finland these treatments are covered by social insurance, and in Germany public and private insurance provides the same coverage for some alternative and complementary treatment. Vietnam TM practitioners can practice in public & private hospitals, also in clinics where government insurance fully covers them.  In many countries T&CM is well integrated into their national health symptoms, for example Switzerland.

The WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy was established to promote the safe use of products, practices and for practitioners. It is the key responsibilities of the Member States to protect the health of their populations ensuring the safety of T&CM practices by managing any described risk effectively. Differences between countries are apparent in the type of supervisory structures put in place by governments in order to develop policies and regulate T&CM products, practices and practitioners.

See more here: http://www.who.int/medicines/publications/traditional/trm_strategy14_23/en/

With the party season just about to begin (if it hasn't already!) it seemed a good time to share some self help tips for the season. For long standing or chronic ailments, it’s important to see a practitioner, but there are several homeopathic remedies which might help with minor symptoms of over indulgence over the festive period:




Nux vomica: this is known as “the hangover” remedy but can also be used for the general symptoms of over-indulgence. Symptoms include heartburn, indigestion, and nausea, a headache, sensitivity to noise and light, and irritability. Particularly suits people who tend to burn the candle at both ends, who keep going with coffee and feel the cold.

Arsenicum: this remedy comes into play when the symptoms are like that of food poisoning, with vomiting and diarrhoea, loss of colour in the face and anxiety. Could also be used when the diarrhoea is anxiety-induced, worse at night with burning in the stomach and a desire to sip water. It suits restless people who are fearful worriers, need to plan and feel the cold.

Sulphur: symptoms include offensive diarrhoea which drives the patient from bed in the morning, excessive sweating, and burning feet. Suits stubborn people who need praise, worry about their health, can be peevish with lots of big ideas they find difficult to actualise. They crave sugar and spicy food.

Lycopodium: symptoms include bloating with wind, a huge appetite, and waking as if from a fright. There is heartburn with sour burping. Suits fearful people lacking in confidence who don’t like undertaking new news. But can be bragging and assertive at home.

Arnica: this is a great remedy to help with bruising and that “battered” feeling you get after last-minute Christmas shopping or bargain hunting in the January sales.

Wishing you a sparkling season of goodwill,

With very best wishes from us all at Find a Homeopath!

If you need assistance from a homeopath then have a look at www.findahomeopath.org to find a practitioner near to you.